We are surrounded by mediocre leaders (not to say bad ones), wherever you look. In all areas, the quality of leadership can vary considerably. Incompetence, arrogance, lack of preparation, nepotism… I suppose you know what I mean. And surely, you can quickly think of great and close examples of this poor leadership.
Moreover, we are at a time when we need the best possible leaders to face the great challenges we have (which are neither few nor easy). Additionally, according to research conducted by Gallup, 70% of the variation in employee engagement is directly related to the quality of leadership. As teamwork expert Nick Fewings said, “Poor leadership is often masked by those with the loudest voices and the strongest opinions.”
Below I share with you THE MAIN REASONS WHY THERE ARE SO MANY MEDIOCRE LEADERS so that, as much as possible, you try to avoid them and bet on good leadership.
- Gender gap: Although it has been shown that men and women have similar levels of general intelligence, women usually have a higher level of emotional intelligence. The gender gap in leadership positions can decrease managerial quality, as the opportunity to leverage the emotional and management skills that many women possess is lost.
- Family businesses: In some companies, it is common for executives to reach leadership positions not by merit, but by being part of the family. This nepotism allows some executives, not adequately prepared or trained for their roles, to assume leadership positions, negatively affecting the efficiency and growth of the company.
- Confusion between professionalism and leadership: Being a good professional does not guarantee being a great leader. Many organizations do not sufficiently analyze the talent and potential of their workers for leadership roles. This can lead to the promotion of individuals who, although competent in their technical areas, lack the necessary skills to lead teams and make strategic decisions. For example, being a good salesperson does not mean one can be a great sales director. Leadership positions require completely different competencies.
- Public entities: In public entities, people who are aligned with the political party or have connections with political leaders are often promoted, instead of betting on the best-prepared individuals. This favoritism can result in leaders who do not have the necessary competencies to govern effectively, which can have negative consequences for society in general.
- Prioritizing technical knowledge over soft skills: In many organizations, technical knowledge and professional experience are prioritized over soft skills, such as the ability to motivate, inspire, and lead. This lack of focus on interpersonal skills can result in leaders who, although technically competent, are not able to manage teams effectively or foster a positive work environment.
- Ego: I am convinced that ego is one of the main problems in developing good leadership. Unfortunately, I have seen how great professionals, when they have accessed leadership positions, have had their egos inflated, causing them great problems. In this regard, I recommend the excellent book “Ego is the Enemy” by Ryan Holiday. Watch out for the ego, as it is really dangerous, because as Byron Katie said, “The job of the ego is to kill everything but itself.”
Now you know 6 reasons that contribute to the presence of mediocre leaders, affecting the productivity, morale, and development of organizations and societies. It is crucial to address these issues to improve the quality of leadership and foster a fairer and more efficient environment.
Remember the advice of John C. Maxwell, a world expert in leadership:
“The most important way to impact an organization is to focus on leadership development.”
P.S.: I am convinced that both in family businesses, public organizations, and other groups mentioned in this post, there are great leaders.
